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Briefing by Spokesperson for Secretary-General
In a statement issued today, the Secretary-General strongly condemned the launch of another ballistic missile by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on 12 February.
Earlier today, the Secretary-General spoke to the World Government Summit in Dubai. In his remarks to the plenary, he focused on the lack of trust in today’s world and said that the need to improve governance is essential. He said that if you look at the UN, for instance, there is a clear lack of confidence in the Security Council today and a clear perception that the Security Council no longer corresponds to the logic of today’s world in relation to what the world was after the Second World War, when the Security Council was built. The Secretary-General said that there is a need for deep reforms in global institutions and he added that he is committed to driving reform of the UN as head of the Secretariat.
The Security Council is holding an open debate toady on the protection of critical infrastructure against terrorist attacks.
The UN peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) said over the weekend that it intervened in the area of Bambari in the framework of its protection of civilians mandate. On 11 January, members of the coalition led by the Front Populaire pour la Renaissance de Centrafrique (FPRC) were approaching Bambari, increasing the threat of violent clashes in the town. The UN mission had no other choice but to stop the advance of the group and the threat it posed and a helicopter from the UN mission intervened.
The UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) expressed its concern about the persistent conflict in the Kasaï provinces.
The UN Assistant Secretary General for Human Rights, Andrew Gilmour is currently in Somalia for his first visit to the country since his appointment.
Humanitarian organizations are appealing for US$1.6 billion to provide life-saving assistance and protection to 5.8 million people across South Sudan in 2017.
The UN Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has expressed its grave concern at the recent escalation of violence in Helmand province, which has reportedly claimed the lives of at least 25 civilians, mostly women and children.
On 12 February, an inter-agency humanitarian convoy delivered food, health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene and other emergency items to Syria’s Ar Rastan area in northern rural Homs for 107,500 people in need. Some health, non-food items, nutrition and water and sanitation supplies were removed during the loading process.
The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) condemned the rocket attack on Saturday evening on Baghdad’s Green Zone. At a time when the fight against Da’esh terrorism remains a priority, this sort of action only serves the interests and objectives of the terrorists.
Djibouti has paid its regular budget dues in full, becoming the 34th UN Member State to have done so in 2017.
